I the last couple of years I have been meaning to read "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, so when I came across a cheap paperback edition I decI the last couple of years I have been meaning to read "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood, so when I came across a cheap paperback edition I decided to finally pick it up and read it. It was both everything and nothing I expected from it; I was expecting a dystopian tale of oppression of females, but I did not get the ending I was hoping for, however, I do believe the ending is rather realistic. It leaves a door open for a debate that is still going strong.

“But who can remember pain, once it’s over? All that remains of it is a shadow, not in the mind even, in the flesh. Pain marks you, but too deep to see. Out of sight, out of mind.”

I was expecting more depth the story, but I think this is to be found in the interpretation and symbolism. This part lingered in my mind for a very long time after I finished the last page, and so did the language: it was so vivid and poetic at times, it is sorrowful and reflects a life of survival in which there is not room for emotions and tears. This made the language the greatest surprise, which left me thinking how society can always try to oppress its people by rules and punishment, but one thing they cannot take away from the individual is the freedom of thoughts; one cannot control these, they wander to the far end of the world if they please, they make us the bird which can fly when the body is imprisoned in a cage set up by the power of others. The mind is the free spirit that keeps us alive with our hopes and dreams.

“We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories.” ...more

"Shades of Grey" by Jasper Fforde is a dystopian novel about a corrupt government and its endlessly many rules sorted by how much colour one is able t"Shades of Grey" by Jasper Fforde is a dystopian novel about a corrupt government and its endlessly many rules sorted by how much colour one is able to see, and these colours are not to mixed. Fforde creates a very scary and yet realistic story with lots of complexities and satire.

“The best lies to tell are the ones people want to believe."

Once I tried to read Fforde's "The Eyre Affair", but I found his writing a struggle, and his story so slow-moving that it only left frustration and the book unfinished. Some of these elements are in "Shades of Grey" too. The plot moves slowly and takes about fifty pages to get into before the story starts to unfold itself, and the information about this corrupt society is given. The plot is not always moving slowly and steady, but suddenly speeds up in the end of the novel, leaving the events almost rushed and unfinished, like the author ran out of pages.

“'Edward, Edward,' he said with a patronising smile, 'there are no unanswered questions of any relevance. Every question that we need to ask has been answered fully. If you can't find the correct answer then you are obviously asking the wrong question.'”

The writing was all right, and the promise of the novel quite interesting. I wanted to read the story, and I wanted to like it, however, several elements such as the speed of the plot and the writing left me only a little satisfied instead of being over the moon. At the end of the novel I still had a lot of unanswered questions about the society and its structure, and if I did not know that Fforde has decided to write a sequel to his dystopian universe I would be rather annoyed but the book entirely. All in all a nice read once one gets into the characters, the plot and its complexity. ...more

This is indeed a must-read classic, so if you haven't read it yet. Here are your options: 1) you either start digging your own grave or you 2) read thThis is indeed a must-read classic, so if you haven't read it yet. Here are your options: 1) you either start digging your own grave or you 2) read the novel.

You might wonder why I urge you to read it if I only rated it three stars. The thing about classical reads is in my opinion that many of these aren't books I'll find myself rereading over time, however, I believe that you should read classics. 1984 by George Orwell is extremely well written and the setup is nothing but brilliant. Imagine a society in which the government tells you exactly how to live and even rob your your freedom to natural things such as falling in love. If you do so the consequences can be deathly.

Even though I really enjoyed the dystopic society and the beautiful writing, it was a hard book to read because of the structure of the text, and I didn't really feel the falling-in-love-part after a while. ...more

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood turned out to be something completely different than what I thought it would be. Sadly, I'm not quite sure this is aOryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood turned out to be something completely different than what I thought it would be. Sadly, I'm not quite sure this is a good thing. Actually, I don't think it is. Structurally, the novel suffers from being too long and taking too long for the plot to move forward which makes 374 pages seem like infinite. Basically, it's all one big flashback on how Jimmy's life used to be.

All the characters in this novel are very different from each other which is a good thing. i believe that says something positive about the author's abilities to write. Nevertheless, variety isn't everything. Because of the genre, dystopian fiction, the reader quickly longs for answers on what happened and weather or not Jimmy is the only human left alive in this new, odd world of nothing but shells of the past.

What I did like about the story was the author's ability to create such a disturbing world before it was destroyed. A world in which social disparity, violence, genetic hybrids, raging man-made viruses dominates. There're many parts of this world the reader will be able to relate to, but there will indeed also be parts completely new and unknown. The purpose of this novel is not to teach the reader about ethic; what is right and what is wrong, but to simply think about it. ...more

Thank God there are 3970 other people here on who rated this novel two stars! To be honest I've been a little nervous about writing this review, becauThank God there are 3970 other people here on who rated this novel two stars! To be honest I've been a little nervous about writing this review, because the hype of this is so huge.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King is one of those books I really wanted to love, however, the situation was different. When the last page had been turned over, the only feeling left in my body was 'Meh...' as in meh-and-throw-the-book-away.

The only thing that make me rate this book one star were my personal theories and thoughts on the symbolic meaning of the characters, place etc. the writing style and lack of descriptions didn't make it any easier for me to read, but I'm willing to read the next book in the series and see if it gets better, but I was not impressed with this book....more

Lord of the Flies by William Golding is a classic read and therefore also a must read. When I first watched the film a few years ago I was captured byLord of the Flies by William Golding is a classic read and therefore also a must read. When I first watched the film a few years ago I was captured by the horrifying plot of young boys stranded on an abandoned island, and how the group slowly breaks down. I believe the author has realistically portrayed human behavior in an environment where civilization no longer has meaning which made this a really scary read.

I do agree on the lack of characterization and description of the surrounding, but if you look beyond that and try to focus on the psychological of this story, I liked this novel. It's probably not a book I would find myself reread over and over again, but it's one of those classics you simply need to read at one point or another. ...more

Even though "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury is more than fifty years old, the plot is still very relevant. Dystopian fiction has become quite popularEven though "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury is more than fifty years old, the plot is still very relevant. Dystopian fiction has become quite popular lately, so I thought it would be nice to see what dystopian fiction looked like fifty years ago. In many ways it was different, still the message and theme are still relevant, and I can honestly say it was better and more subtitle than today's dystopian fiction. Bradbury lost me quite a bit in the middle of the book, but the plot itself is very good and very original.

“We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?”

So why the two stars? Simply because it was okay, the meaning of two stars. Don't misunderstand me, I did enjoy the story, but I think the effect it had, or maybe didn't have, would have been stronger if I had to read the book for school and look between the lines for treasures. Unfortunately we don't get to read much literature in Danish schools, which is also why I'm looking forward to university, but that's a different matter. Despite the missing impact this short novel had on me, I'm glad read it. If you're very into literature, this is indeed a must-read you need to add on your to-read list. ...more

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess many seems to love and since it was recommend by my book club, I decided to give it a shot. I've never been thisA Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess many seems to love and since it was recommend by my book club, I decided to give it a shot. I've never been this wrong about a book before; everything I thought about it was smashed to the grown on the very first page where I first meet the very different writing style which caused me a little trouble reading, yes I am very embarrassed to admit this. That said, it doesn't mean the writing style was a mess, because I believe it's the most characteristic about it and I also grew fond on it after getting used to it.

The main character, Alex, likes ultra-violence, rape, drugs and Beethoven's Ninth. That description alone should make the reading experience exciting but for me I just didn't work. I didn't feel like i could relate to Alex in any ways nor could I feel his pain and reasons for his actions. I just felt old listening to him.

The book holds 3 sections, each containing 7 chapters, for a total of 21 chapters so it's an easy read when you get use to the writing style. If you're interested in modern literature or like to widen your horizon when it comes to genres of books this might be a place to start. Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you....more

When I first got my hands on Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion I was thrilled. The story seemed original with its zombie-plot, but my idea of this novel chaWhen I first got my hands on Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion I was thrilled. The story seemed original with its zombie-plot, but my idea of this novel changed quite a bit after a while. I did enjoy the story and I probably will if I ever decide to pick it up again, but the story is not original at all. Instead it echoes Shakespeare.

Warm Bodies is more like a post-apocalyptic version of Romeo and Juliet where Romeo kills Paris and marries Juliet. In Isaac Marion's version R kills Perry who is trying to protect his girlfriend Julie. When I first discovered this I was stunned. Shakespeare probably had some inspiration from Tristan and Isolde but at least he was smart enough to make the love story is own.

If you are a fan of young adult novels or like zombie love stories, Warm Bodies might be just right for you. Also, anybody can mange to read 241 pages, but I would recommend everyone to read Shakespeare instead. ...more

this is a very weird book. A very weird book that I enjoyed reading. It may seem hard to understand the actual plot, at least i had a hard time trulythis is a very weird book. A very weird book that I enjoyed reading. It may seem hard to understand the actual plot, at least i had a hard time truly understanding it, but at the same time Never Let Me Go is a book that let's you think for yourself. It's really nice.

I have so much going on in my head right now about this one that I find hard to express even in danish; it took me forever to read the book, but at the same time i really enjoyed the writing style and the mysterious setting.

Now there's only one thing left to say: I can't wait for the movie to come out!...more

MOre like 3.5 or 4I find it hard to decide because I did enjoy the book. It was different from my expectations, but I sure enjoyed it. I liked the ideMOre like 3.5 or 4I find it hard to decide because I did enjoy the book. It was different from my expectations, but I sure enjoyed it. I liked the idea of how it would be if the world was about to end and then I started to like the diary written-style of Miranda, he main character, however, I did expect it to be more aggressive. ...more

First of all, let us get one thing straight: Julie Kagawa is an excellent writer of the twenty-first century; she can take what seems like very littleFirst of all, let us get one thing straight: Julie Kagawa is an excellent writer of the twenty-first century; she can take what seems like very little and then turn it upside down and into a masterpiece. I bet she was the best in kindergarten when the plasticine came out.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa made me nervous the first time I heard that Kagawa was writing on a vampire novel. Vampires have been written about too many times that I feared she would not be able to bring something new into the universe of fanged creatures. She did. Once again this kick-ass woman shows how well she handles mythical creatures, and for that she deserves a big ol' high five.

That said, I still feel a little ambivalent about The Immortal Rules. Even though Kagawa managed to add something new into the story, I also think lots of things were too much of a cliché and by that I mean the last half of the novel and the love story. Opposite most people I actually prefer the first half of the novel even though the killings made me a bit grumpy.

I do not think I will buy or reread this nook any time soon maybe never again. I was glad I got the opportunity to read it because thte writing was as usual great and catching. ...more

I first read "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver in 2010, now 2013 I received a copy of the Danish translation of the novel, and I decided to take it up onceI first read "Delirium" by Lauren Oliver in 2010, now 2013 I received a copy of the Danish translation of the novel, and I decided to take it up once more despite the fact that I did not enjoy it the first time. From the very beginning it is very clear that Lena, the main character, only wants the operation to fit in; her way of thinking is very different from the ordinary, and she is much more abstract. She is supposed to be eighteen years old; however, from the way of telling the story she seems to be quite younger than that. Reading it for the second time, I did not remember her actual age, and when I found out I still did not believe her to be eighteen as she sometimes act a little immature even though love might make you act that way. Lena and the reader becomes one as they keep questing the society and its rules which is great, but once again Lena's naivety distances her from the reader; being the trigger of an upcoming war and Lena still feels better whenever she is told things will be all right, and she really dose seem to believe it to be so.

“It's so strange how life works: You want something and you wait and wait and feel like it's taking forever to come. Then it happens and it's over and all you want to do is curl back up in that moment before things changed.”

The writing style is fine sometimes even great; the author tries hard to make her descriptions poetic which is very ironic now that things such as poetry is banned from this new apocalyptic, however, as the story is told from Lena's point of view it once again shows how little she fits in the society. The language is easy to read even when it almost becomes lyrical, but at times the author lows her writing with cheesy clichés which is why I have distanced myself from this genre. All the necessary information about the society is giving from the very start of the book, making it very clear to the reader, how things work. This book is not only about love, but about what you believe in, ideologies, and human rights, essential themes that are, however, most likely to suit female readers with its few happenings and very cheesy love story.

“Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger or longer than an edge. That's what it is: an edge; a razor. It draws up through the center of your life, cutting everything in two. Before and after. The rest of the world falls away on either side.”

The ending was nail biting and leaves the reader hungry for more despite its many lacks. So many unanswered questions is left to be (hopefully) answered in the next books. It is a book with huge potential, but is told in a unoriginal way, leaving the critical reader a puzzled yet wanting to see if the author is able to develop. ...more

I do think the plot was exciting, creepy and all but, somehow, I found it hard to catch up with the book and the way it was written. I like the storyI do think the plot was exciting, creepy and all but, somehow, I found it hard to catch up with the book and the way it was written. I like the story and its characters but I think a few chapters could have been left out because nothing really happened. At least noting important. ...more

Was I ever disappointed? Before reading WITHER by LAUREN DESTEFANO, I was hoping for a whole new universe with a strong female lead and an adventure aWas I ever disappointed? Before reading WITHER by LAUREN DESTEFANO, I was hoping for a whole new universe with a strong female lead and an adventure as great as the one JULIE KAGAWA created in her IRON FEY-SERIES. This book is nothing I was hoping for, however, I did like the concept of a society in which girls are forced into polygamous marriages in hope of keeping the human race going.

WITHER starts out surprisingly great; Rhine and some girls are about to being chosen as brides, and the writing stile is actually great. All this changes quickly; soon the reader loses track of what the main plot is, what is going on and at the same time it's hard to connect to the characters at all.

Oh boy, I hate writing reviews like this, but the cover, the resume and everything gave me a whole different picture on the same level as THE HUNGER GAMES by SUZANNE COLLINS. Also, when I put it this way, it makes the book sound really, really bad, which it's not as long as you don't have the same picture I had before reading it. ...more

After reading Specials i feel like I'm missing something. Something important. First I though I read the last chapters wrong so I kept rereading themAfter reading Specials i feel like I'm missing something. Something important. First I though I read the last chapters wrong so I kept rereading them till I finally understood that I read it right in the first place.

The story is as usually well-written and I did enjoy reading it although I felt a little disappointed in how things turned out to be.

One last thing: I hate hate hate HATE when the author has to kill an innocent character. For god sake, leave them alone! ...more

I like that you get to see the world of Pretties and all the parties even thought you sometimes miss the world of all the ugliness and the Smoke. ScotI like that you get to see the world of Pretties and all the parties even thought you sometimes miss the world of all the ugliness and the Smoke. Scott Westerfeld is so original.The characters are interesting, and I like that Tally has to fight for her old memories. It makes the surgery and the whole plot more believable....more